If you’re looking for the best 4-bay NAS for family archives in 2026, I recommend options like the TERRAMASTER F4-425 Plus, Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3, and QNAP TS-464U-RP, which combine powerful performance, large capacities, and easy security features. Budget-friendly choices like UGREEN’s NASues and external DAS solutions also fit well. If you want a deeper understanding of these models and what to contemplate, I got you covered with all the details behind these options.
Key Takeaways
- The top 4-bay NAS models offer high storage capacity, RAID support, and scalable configurations for family backup needs.
- They feature user-friendly interfaces and automated backup options suitable for non-technical users.
- Many options provide multi-gigabit Ethernet, fast processors, and ample RAM for quick, reliable data access.
- External and DAS storage solutions expand capacity without complex setup, ideal for versatile backup strategies.
- Security features like encryption, snapshots, and remote access ensure data integrity and protection for family archives.
| TERRAMASTER F4-425 Plus NAS Storage (Diskless) |  | High-Performance Powerhouse | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports up to 144TB with drives | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 NAS with 16GB RAM |  | Content Creator’s Choice | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports high capacity with multiple SSDs/HDDs | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| UGREEN 4-Bay NAS with 120TB Support and Remote Access |  | Budget-Friendly Storage | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports up to 120TB with drives | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus 4-Bay NAS System |  | Small Office Solution | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports up to 136TB with drives | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| QNAP TR-004 4-Bay USB-C DAS with RAID |  | External Expansion | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports multiple RAID levels with drives | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| QNAP TVS-h474-PT NAS with Intel Pentium Processor |  | Enterprise Ready | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports multiple drives, RAID options | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| QNAP 4-Bay Short Depth NAS with 10GbE |  | Enterprise Surveillance | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports RAID 5, expansion | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| QNAP 4-Bay 4K NAS with 12TB RAID 5 Bundle |  | Multimedia Focused | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports multiple drives, RAID | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| 4 TB High Performance 1u 4 Bay Rackmount NAS MaxNAS4R04 |  | High-Speed Reliability | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Supports SATA drives (implies diskless) | Expandable Storage: Supports SATA drives with RAID | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Asustor Lockerstor 4RD NAS with Redundant Power |  | Redundant Power | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Diskless | Expandable Storage: Supports multiple drives, RAID | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| QNAP TS-464U-RP 8-GbE Rackmount NAS with 8GB DDR4 |  | Compact Rackmount | Number of Bays: 4 bays | Diskless: Supports SATA drives (implies diskless) | Expandable Storage: Supports up to 64GB RAM, multiple drives | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
More Details on Our Top Picks
TERRAMASTER F4-425 Plus NAS Storage (Diskless)
If you’re looking for a reliable 4-bay NAS that can handle serious family backups and media streaming, the TERRAMASTER F4-425 Plus is an excellent choice. It’s diskless, giving you flexibility to customize storage with your drives. Powered by an Intel N150 Quad-Core CPU up to 3.6GHz and 16GB DDR5 RAM, it delivers fast performance with up to 1020MB/s read/write speeds. Its three M.2 slots support SSD cache or independent storage, boosting speed for data-heavy tasks. The dual 5GbE ports support link aggregation, ensuring smooth network performance. Encased in a durable aluminum chassis, it’s built for reliability, making it perfect for demanding home or small office environments.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports up to 144TB with drives
- Network Connectivity:Dual 5GbE LAN ports
- CPU Type:Intel N150 Quad-Core
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Yes (Docker, VMs)
- Additional Feature:Supports Docker and Virtual Machines
- Additional Feature:All-metal durable chassis
- Additional Feature:1020MB/s high-speed transfer
Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 NAS with 16GB RAM
The Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen3 NAS with 16GB RAM stands out as an excellent choice for tech-savvy families seeking high-performance backup solutions. Its powerful quad-core AMD Ryzen processor and 16GB of ECC DDR5 memory deliver fast, reliable performance, expandable up to 64GB. With four M.2 NVMe SSD slots and PCIe 4.0 support, it offers exceptional speed for data transfers. Dual 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports and multiple USB ports, including USB4, ensure seamless connectivity. Designed for demanding users like content creators, it handles heavy workloads and provides flexible, future-proof storage options, making it ideal for family archives.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports high capacity with multiple SSDs/HDDs
- Network Connectivity:Dual 10GbE and 5GbE ports
- CPU Type:AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Yes (Virtual Machines, Docker)
- Additional Feature:Dual 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Additional Feature:PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots
- Additional Feature:Expandable up to 64GB RAM
UGREEN 4-Bay NAS with 120TB Support and Remote Access
The UGREEN DH4300 Plus stands out as an excellent choice for families seeking easy, secure remote access to their backups. With support for up to 120TB, it can store millions of photos, songs, movies, and files, making it perfect for large media libraries. Its user-friendly setup, along with automatic backups across multiple devices and OS, simplifies data management. Features like real-time photo backup, intelligent album organization, and remote connectivity via web browsers or smart TVs enhance the user experience. Priced at $629.99 with included HDD, it offers a cost-effective, private storage solution that saves money over cloud plans long-term.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports up to 120TB with drives
- Network Connectivity:2.5GbE port
- CPU Type:High-performance ARM-based
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Supports Docker
- Additional Feature:Real-time photo backup
- Additional Feature:Semantic search AI features
- Additional Feature:8GB LPDDR4X RAM
UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus 4-Bay NAS System
Designed for small offices and home use, the UGREEN NASync DXP4800 Plus stands out with its powerful Intel Pentium Gold 8505 5-core processor and 8GB DDR5 RAM, ensuring smooth performance for family archive backups. It offers up to 136TB of storage capacity, compatible with third-party drives, and features fast connectivity with a 10GbE port and two M.2 NVMe slots. The device supports seamless data transfer, automatic backups, RAID options, and an AI-powered photo organizer. Running UGOS Pro, it’s user-friendly across operating systems, with remote access and secure file sharing. It’s an excellent choice for reliable, high-performance home data management.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports up to 136TB with drives
- Network Connectivity:10GbE and 2.5GbE ports
- CPU Type:Intel Pentium Gold 8505
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Supports Docker, VMs
- Additional Feature:128GB SSD included
- Additional Feature:4 M.2 NVMe slots
- Additional Feature:4K HDMI output
QNAP TR-004 4-Bay USB-C DAS with RAID
If you’re looking for a straightforward external storage solution that offers reliable RAID options, the QNAP TR-004 4-Bay USB-C DAS stands out. It’s a diskless device supporting 3.5-inch SATA drives at 3Gb/s, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can configure it with RAID 0, 1, 5, JBOD, or use individual disks, making it flexible for your backup needs. The lockable drive bays add security, and it connects easily via USB Type-C with the included cable. Just keep in mind, it functions solely as external storage—no NAS features or network sharing. It’s ideal for expanding storage or backing up your existing systems.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports multiple RAID levels with drives
- Network Connectivity:USB-C with RAID, no network ports
- CPU Type:ARM Cortex-A72
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:No (external DAS, no virtualization)
- Additional Feature:Hardware RAID support
- Additional Feature:Lockable drive bays
- Additional Feature:Compatible with NAS backup
QNAP TVS-h474-PT NAS with Intel Pentium Processor
Looking for a powerful NAS that can handle high-speed data transfers and advanced AI applications? The QNAP TVS-h474-PT with Intel Pentium processor delivers. It features an Intel Pentium Gold dual-core CPU, 8GB RAM, and support for PCIe Gen 4 slots, enabling fast network upgrades with 2.5/5/10/25GbE options. Its M.2 NVMe slots boost caching for quicker access, while dual 2.5GbE ports ensure speedy network connectivity. With ZFS-based QuTS hero OS, it guarantees data integrity, real-time snapshots, and efficient storage management. Plus, AI capabilities like image recognition and video transcoding make it perfect for multimedia, virtualization, and demanding family backup needs.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports multiple drives, RAID options
- Network Connectivity:Dual 2.5GbE ports
- CPU Type:Intel Pentium Gold
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Yes (VMs, containers)
- Additional Feature:AI image recognition
- Additional Feature:PCIe Gen 4 slots
- Additional Feature:Supports multiple VMs
QNAP 4-Bay Short Depth NAS with 10GbE
The QNAP TS-435XeU stands out as an excellent choice for small businesses or tech-savvy families needing speedy data transfers and future-proof connectivity. This 4-bay short-depth rackmount NAS comes with four pre-installed 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives, configured with RAID 5 for data protection. Its dual M.2 NVMe slots allow for cache acceleration, boosting performance. With dual 2.5GbE ports and 10GbE support, it’s ready for high-speed networking today and tomorrow. Powered by a quad-core ARMv8 Cortex-A72 processor and expandable up to 32GB RAM, it handles multitasking smoothly, making it ideal for efficient data management and backups in a compact form factor.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports RAID 5, expansion
- Network Connectivity:Dual 2.5GbE ports, 10GbE support
- CPU Type:ARM Cortex-A72
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Yes (virtualization support)
- Additional Feature:RAID 5 with 4TB drives
- Additional Feature:Future-proof 10GbE support
- Additional Feature:Includes 3-year recovery plan
QNAP 4-Bay 4K NAS with 12TB RAID 5 Bundle
The QNAP TS-451D2-4G-44R-US stands out as an excellent choice for families seeking reliable multimedia storage and backup solutions, thanks to its 12TB RAID 5 configuration. It comes with four pre-installed Seagate IronWolf drives, providing a balanced combination of capacity and data protection. Its hardware includes an Intel Celeron J4025 dual-core processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM (expandable to 8GB), and 4K hardware transcoding capabilities, making multimedia management smooth. With dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, USB 3.2 ports, and an HDMI output, it supports versatile connectivity. Overall, this NAS offers robust performance for home media and backup needs.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports multiple drives, RAID
- Network Connectivity:2.5GbE ports
- CPU Type:Intel Celeron J4025
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Yes (Virtualization, VMs)
- Additional Feature:4K hardware transcoding
- Additional Feature:HDMI multimedia output
- Additional Feature:Intel AES-NI encryption
4 TB High Performance 1u 4 Bay Rackmount NAS MaxNAS4R04
For families seeking reliable, high-performance storage, the MaxNAS4R04 stands out as an excellent choice. This 1U rackmount NAS offers four hot-swappable bays, supporting SATA II drives for flexible storage expansion via eSATA. It supports various RAID levels—0, 1, 5, 6, JBOD, and hot spare—plus online expansion and migration, making data management seamless. Its robust AES 256-bit encryption guarantees your files stay protected. Designed for demanding applications, the MaxNAS4R04 delivers high performance, scalability, and security, making it ideal for a family archive where reliability and speed are top priorities.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Supports SATA drives (implies diskless)
- Expandable Storage:Supports SATA drives with RAID
- Network Connectivity:No dedicated network ports (USB attached)
- CPU Type:Not specified (general high performance)
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Not specified
- Additional Feature:AES 256-bit encryption
- Additional Feature:Supports RAID levels
- Additional Feature:High-performance hardware
Asustor Lockerstor 4RD NAS with Redundant Power
If you’re seeking a reliable NAS that guarantees continuous operation even during power failures, the Asustor Lockerstor 4RD with redundant power supplies stands out. It features an Intel Atom C3538 quad-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, expandable up to 128GB. Designed as a 1U rackmount, it supports dual power supplies for added safety. The NAS offers versatile connectivity with two Gigabit and two 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet ports, capable of aggregating up to 5 Gbps. With support for virtualization, iSCSI, and advanced security features like AD integration, it’s ideal for safeguarding family archives with high performance and uninterrupted uptime.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Diskless
- Expandable Storage:Supports multiple drives, RAID
- Network Connectivity:Dual Gigabit ports, optional 10GbE PCIe
- CPU Type:Intel Atom C3538
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Supports virtualization and Docker
- Additional Feature:Dual power supplies
- Additional Feature:iSCSI/IP-SAN support
- Additional Feature:RAID 0/1/5/6 configurations
QNAP TS-464U-RP 8-GbE Rackmount NAS with 8GB DDR4
With its robust 8GB DDR4 RAM and high-speed dual 2.5GbE ports, the QNAP TS-464U-RP 8-GbE Rackmount NAS stands out as an ideal choice for families seeking reliable, scalable backup solutions in 2026. Powered by Intel quad-core processors with burst speeds up to 2.9 GHz, it supports up to 16GB of RAM and four 7200 RPM drives for ample storage. Its versatile connectivity includes USB 3.2 ports and PCIe expansion options, while security features like Intel AES-NI encryption keep data safe. Perfect for centralized backups, its all-encompassing software tools ensure seamless management and security, making it a top-tier family archive solution.
- Number of Bays:4 bays
- Diskless:Supports SATA drives (implies diskless)
- Expandable Storage:Supports up to 64GB RAM, multiple drives
- Network Connectivity:Dual 2.5GbE ports
- CPU Type:Intel Celeron N5105/N5095
- Supports Virtualization or Docker:Supports virtual machines, containers
- Additional Feature:24/7 surveillance ready
- Additional Feature:Supports storage snapshots
- Additional Feature:Supports cloud sync
Factors to Consider When Choosing a 4-Bay NAS for Family Archive Backups
When choosing a 4-bay NAS for your family backups, I consider several key factors that impact performance and usability. Things like storage capacity flexibility, data protection features, and ease of setup are vital, along with connectivity options and speed. Understanding these points helps me pick a device that best fits my family’s needs and guarantees reliable backups.
Storage Capacity Flexibility
Choosing a 4-bay NAS with flexible storage capacity is essential for ensuring your family archive can grow along with your needs. I look for models that support a total capacity exceeding my current storage, so I won’t need upgrades too soon. Supporting multiple RAID configurations, like RAID 0, 1, 5, or JBOD, gives me options to balance performance, redundancy, and capacity. I also prioritize NAS with extra M.2 or SSD slots for cache acceleration, which boosts speed and efficiency. Hot-swappable drives are a big plus, allowing me to upgrade or replace drives without shutting down the system. Additionally, I check if the NAS supports external expansion or direct drive mounting, so I can seamlessly add more storage as my archive grows. Flexibility here saves time and future-proofs my setup.
Data Protection Features
Ensuring your family archive stays safe requires strong data protection features in your NAS. RAID configurations like RAID 5 or RAID 6 provide data redundancy, guarding against drive failure. Snapshot technology lets you create point-in-time copies, making recovery from accidental deletions or corruption straightforward. Encryption options, such as AES 256-bit encryption, protect your stored data from unauthorized access. Backup solutions like scheduled automatic backups, cloud sync, and remote replication strengthen disaster recovery and data security. Additionally, support for WORM and HyperLock-WORM features offers tamper-proof storage for sensitive or critical data. These features guarantee that your family memories and important files remain secure, accessible, and protected against various risks, giving you peace of mind knowing your archive is well-guarded.
Ease of Setup
A straightforward setup process can make all the difference in getting your family archive backups up and running quickly. I look for devices with user-friendly interfaces and clear instructions that facilitate the initial configuration. Features like automatic detection of hard drives and plug-and-play hardware support help speed things up, so I don’t waste time troubleshooting. Guided setup wizards and mobile app integration make it easy for anyone, even non-technical users, to install and configure the NAS. Quick access to tutorials, video guides, and detailed documentation also helps ensure a smooth experience. Additionally, support for standard network protocols and simplified network setup options make connecting the NAS to my home network hassle-free, saving me valuable time and effort from the start.
Connectivity Options
When selecting a 4-bay NAS for family archive backups, paying attention to connectivity options is crucial for smooth data transfer and reliable access. Look for models with multiple Ethernet ports, such as dual 1GbE, 2.5GbE, or 10GbE, to ensure fast, flexible network connections and future-proofing. If remote or mobile access is important, check for Wi-Fi or wireless support, though wired connections tend to be more stable. USB ports like USB 3.0, 3.2, or USB-C are also essential for direct connections to external drives or backup devices. Additionally, consider support for network link aggregation or SMB Multichannel, which can boost bandwidth and enhance redundancy. Finally, remote access features, like web management or mobile apps, make it easier to manage backups across various network environments.
Performance Speed
Performance speed is a critical factor when choosing a 4-bay NAS for family archive backups, as faster data transfer rates mean quicker backups and seamless access. To achieve this, look for models with multi-gigabit Ethernet ports like 10GbE or 2.5GbE, which notably boost transfer speeds. Adding M.2 NVMe SSD slots can also enhance performance by enabling caching or independent storage pools, speeding up read/write operations. A powerful CPU, such as an Intel Pentium or AMD Ryzen embedded processor, ensures quick data processing and efficient backups. Ample RAM, ideally 8GB or more, helps maintain smooth multitasking during high-speed transfers. Additionally, hardware RAID configurations like RAID 5 or RAID 6 optimize write speeds while providing redundancy, ensuring your backups are both fast and reliable.
Expandability Options
Choosing a 4-bay NAS with solid expandability options guarantees your family’s storage can grow alongside your needs. Look for models with multiple drive bays that allow future expansion without replacing existing drives. Check if the device offers PCIe or M.2 slots for adding SSD caches or extra storage modules, boosting performance and capacity. It’s also important to verify compatibility with larger or different types of hard drives to accommodate your evolving data needs. Ensure the NAS supports flexible RAID configurations, enabling you to add or replace drives while keeping your data safe. Hot-swapping drives is a valuable feature, allowing you to expand storage without shutting down the system. Prioritizing these expandability options guarantees your family’s backup system remains scalable and adaptable over time.
User Management Tools
User management tools are essential features to contemplate because they control who can access and modify your family’s stored data. With these tools, I can assign permissions and access levels to individual family members or groups, boosting data security. Advanced features like support for Active Directory and LDAP protocols allow for centralized user authentication, making access control more streamlined. Fine-grained permission settings help me restrict or grant access to specific folders or files, preventing unauthorized viewing or changes. Additionally, activity logs and audit trails let me monitor user actions, ensuring accountability. Multi-user support enables everyone to access files simultaneously without compromising security or personalized access rights. Overall, robust user management tools are vital to keep our family archive organized, secure, and easy to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a 4-Bay NAS Handle Data Redundancy and Fault Tolerance?
A 4-bay NAS handles data redundancy and fault tolerance mainly through RAID configurations, like RAID 5 or RAID 10. I set mine up to distribute data across multiple drives, so if one fails, my files stay safe. This setup automatically rebuilds data onto a spare drive, ensuring continuous access without losing any information. It’s a reliable way to protect my family archive from drive failures.
Can These NAS Devices Support Multi-User Access Simultaneously?
Yes, these NAS devices support multiple users accessing files simultaneously. I’ve experienced this firsthand, and the performance remains smooth even with several family members accessing different folders at once. They’re designed to handle multi-user environments efficiently, making it easy for everyone to access and share files without delays. Just make certain your network setup is robust enough, and you’ll enjoy seamless, concurrent access for all users.
What Are the Energy Consumption Differences Among These NAS Options?
The energy consumption varies among these NAS options, with some models designed for efficiency and others prioritizing performance. I’ve found that energy-efficient models use less power, often featuring power-saving modes and optimized hardware. Generally, lower-capacity or more basic units consume less energy, while high-performance or feature-rich models draw more. For my family backups, I prefer a balance, choosing a NAS that’s reliable yet mindful of power use.
How Scalable Are 4-Bay NAS Systems for Future Storage Needs?
Think of a 4-bay NAS like a growing tree; it starts small but can expand steadily. These systems are quite scalable, allowing me to add drives as my storage needs grow, often through expansion units or by replacing smaller drives with larger ones. While not limitless, they provide significant flexibility for future needs, making them a reliable backbone for my family archive, even as data demands increase.
Do These NAS Solutions Include Bundled Backup or Security Software?
Most 4-bay NAS solutions do include bundled backup and security software, which helps protect your data and manage backups easily. I’ve found that many models come with proprietary apps or compatible third-party options, making setup straightforward. While the software varies by brand, I always recommend checking if they offer real-time backup, encryption, and malware protection features to guarantee your family archive stays safe and accessible.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, I want you to weigh your wants with your needs. Whether it’s storage size, speed, or security, choosing the right 4-bay NAS makes all the difference. By balancing budget with brilliance, you’ll build a reliable, robust family archive that lasts. Don’t delay—dive deep, decide wisely, and develop a dedicated digital den for your cherished memories. Your perfect family backup begins with the right choice today!
